(22/02/2006)

The Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS) has selected two African countries, Algeria and Ethiopia, as well as Nepal, as the focus of its sponsored children’s races in 2006.

The organisation has operated a programme of support for children’s running events in Africa since 2000, when it sponsored children’s races in Arusha, Tanzania, in conjunction with the Mount Meru Marathon.

AIMS which is also a supporter of global children’s charity UNICEF will help develop a new generation of distance runners and help to keep the younger generation healthy by backing two children’s races in Africa and one in Nepal in 2006.

These three initiatives will be held in conjunction with AIMS member events:

AIMS will be supplying T-shirts and medals to all children who participate in the races and will also contribute to a prize list for the top finishers in each age category split equally between boys and girls.

AIMS World President Hiroaki Chosa said: "Africa has given the world so many great athletes. Many of these athletes have emerged against incredible adversity.

"Sport, and running in particular, offers an inexpensive way of raising self-esteem and helping to develop and maintain good health.

By way of these races in Africa and Nepal we are seeking to encourage more young children to follow their dreams and to aim for a healthy life."

AIMS represents road races from every continent, spreading across over 200 races in over 80 countries.